Visa Applications

DIS05 is part of a new program whereby the U.S. Department of State Visa Services office has it listed on its internal Intranet system. There are new procedures in place that we hope will make the visa application process faster and more tolerable. However, we are told that visa applicants can still expect processing times of up to two months. Please bear in mind that your advance advance planning is critical, including these planning steps for your visa:

- As soon as travel to the United States is contemplated, foreign travelers should identify whether a visa is needed. If the traveler has a U.S. visa, check the expiration date to make sure that the visa will not expire before the planned travel date. For visa waiver countries, citizens of those countries meeting the visa waiver criteria will not need a visa. If you do not know whether you can travel without a visa, using this program, review the Visa Waiver Program information on the internet at http://travel.state.gov/vwp.html.

- Information about visitor visas, and what a person needs to apply, is available on the Department of State's Visa Services website at:

http://travel.state.gov/visa_services.html http://travel.state.gov/getting_vistors_visa.html

After identifying that a visa is needed, foreign travelers should contact the Embassy Consular Section in their country to determine visa processing timeframes. We recommend contacting the Consular Section via internet at http://travel.state.gov/links.html. Look for posted timeframes on the internet or call the Consular Section to hear recorded information about visa processing timeframes.

- The Department of State's recommended first source of up-to-date visa information is their internet site at http://www.travel.state.gov/visa_services.html

DIS05 has also been registered with the US National Academy International Visas Office. If you have difficulties with your visa application, please fill out the visa questionnaire on: http://www7.nationalacademies.org/visas/Visa_Questionnaire.html. They will then contact you if they are able to help with your case.